Tatuaje has long been one of our favorite cigar brands. We fondly recall the first time smoking a Tainos double corona fresh from the cab—one of the first non-Cuban cigars we can ever remember favorably comparing to the real deal. The Noellas remains one of our favorite coronas going. We could go on and on.

We missed the subject of this review, the Pork Tenderloin, on its first go around back in 2010. The limited edition was packed in butcher paper and limited to 200 bundles. It sold for a reasonable $8 each back then, but Halfwheel claims bundles now command upwards of $1,000 at auction. The current version is $12 apiece, still very limited, and produced at the My Father factory in Nicaragua instead of Miami. We got our hands on these when brand owner Pete Johnson's Oh F*ck I'm Lost Tour rolled through our neck of the woods.

The blend itself is Nicaraguan leaf wrapped with a formidable looking piece of Connecticut Broadleaf. It's rustic looking and well made but certainly doesn't necessarily look any better than some cheap bundle cigars. That's not a knock necessarily, we're just saying it doesn't stand out on looks alone.

Unfortunately, for us, it doesn't really stand out when smoked either. This is a dark cigar in every sense: in looks, in aroma, and in flavor. There's no buoyancy, little sweetness or anything to counterbalance the overwhelmingly dark, brown, meatiness of this smoke.

To start, it's strong. Immediately after lighting we were met with some mushroomy, foresty funk which quickly abated. From there, it's got pepper and earth and licorice and cocoa powder going for the entire time with ever-present nicotine in the background. And for the most part, what you get after the first few puffs stays consistent throughout. There are no real changes or shifts. If you like it at the beginning, you'll like it at the middle and end. Construction was perfect. The cigar burned and drew absolutely spot-on for the entire time.

We can see why some people love these. If you like your cigars dark, strong and in your face, this is one of the best blends of that ilk. But for us, it's just too much of a good thing. One more thing: given the strength, and the dense nature of the flavors, we'd recommend some aging to allow the cigar to temper and open up just a bit.

The Pork Tenderloin is proof that Tatuaje continues to produce interesting cigars full of character—a true boutique company. They're not trying to please everyone and that's a darn good thing.

THE DETAILS

5 1/8 x 52NicaraguaW: CT BroadleafB: NicaraguaF: Nicaragua$12

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Almost overwhelmingly dark and strong. Meaty, peppery, with licorice and unsweet cocoa powder flavors. Perfectly made with and ideal burn and draw. Not for everyone.